"I am but a simple purveyor of words. A story teller one might say. For the right number of coins, I shall create you a world of your very own, where you will be hailed as its hero, its ruler….its god. Cross me, however, and you shall be cast down as its villain, the lowest of creatures. Your final fate will be most befitting…and unfortunate." - Michael L. Turner

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

As a young man, Ian returns to the Realm to fight against the tyranny that has befallen his friends. But the Realm is a different place, the forest is dying, the Kaemperns have lost the shield that protected them from the dragon, and Ian has a hard time proving his allegiance when trouble follows him through the portal. His struggle to do right buries him in confusion, and he must fight his own will to prove his integrity.

Dianne Lynn Gardner

Author-Illustrator

Young Adult Fantasy-Adventure Fiction

Dianne Gardner is both an author and illustrator living the
Pacific Northwest, Olalla Washington. She’s an active member of the Society of
Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and the National League of American
Pen Women. She has written Young Adult Fantasy novels as well as articles for
national maga­zines and newspapers and she is an award-winning artist.

Dianne spent many years living out in the desert wilderness of the
American Southwest, lived in a hogan made from adobe and cedar for thirteen
years, co-owned 25 horses both pure bred and Native American ponies, traveled
horseback and by wagon throughout the Navajo reservation, herded sheep and
goat, worked in the forest planting trees and piling, farmed on barren soil and
even lived in a teepee for a short while. She spent many long years using
survival skills as a way of life.

Later she studied pastoral counseling and was a Pastor’s appren­tice
at a mainline church. She and her husband have been feeding the homeless for
over twelve years. Today she shares both her survival experiences and her love
for people, especially young people, into her writing as a way to not only to
give her readers a firm understanding of her stories’ characters, but a rich
appreciation of nature.

Sample

Ian’s thoughts vanished the
moment the dragon gave a deafening roar and emitted a blast of flame. Though
far above them, its marble-like eyes glowed bright like a lava lamp.

The dragon’s huge body
whipped around the mountaintop, and dove off the precipice toward them.
Boulders fell as the dragon’s weight broke the cliffs apart. Down the monster
came, half falling, half jumping. Its giant claws tore trees as it crashed onto
the rocky terrain of the foothills. Gaining its balance, the creature tucked
its wings against its body. It focused on Ian and began its chase on foot, its
huge claws shaking the earth as it moved. Lightning flashed. Whether from the
thunder, or the deafening sound of the dragon, the mountain rumbled and
rattled.

The faster their horses
galloped, the faster Stenhjaert charged. Sparkles raced behind the buckskin,
down the rocky foothills to the grassy plains. For miles they sped, and for
what seemed like hours. The ominous breath of the dragon ignited an inferno as
the grass of the prairie exploded in fire.

The two changed direction
and turned south into the forest, disappearing into the lush undergrowth.In the woods, Alex jumped from his mount and
handed Ian his reins.

“Take the
horses,” Alex said as he caught his breath. A flash of lightning illuminated
his strong features. His sweat was mixed with sleet and the rain that dripped
from his brow. He panted as he spoke. “Take them to the bay and let them loose.
Pull the canoe out of the reeds, and wait for me.”

Monday, February 4, 2013

We are going to have a visitor. Come
by this blog on Wednesdayand get to know Dianne Lynn Gardner. She is an Author-Illustrator of Young Adult
Fantasy-Adventure Fiction.Dianne will have a guest post right here, and
you can have the chance to glimpse her world, and yes, there is a dragon.